The Conservation Foundation is putting on a free event to talk about how shopping choices can help the planet. It's called \"Shopping with the Environment in Mind\" and will happen on November 21 at McDonald Farm in Naperville. The event is from 4:30 to 5:30 p. m. Diane Osgood, an environmental economist from Oswego, will be the speaker. She wrote a book called \"Yo...
First Nations' deep connection to the land offers valuable insights into environmental accounting. The UN's SEEA-EA framework aims to blend environmental and economic data. It organizes ecosystem details, measures services, and tracks changes over time. But how can it better include First Nations' views on nature and their cultural ties to traditional lands? The SEE...
Cities are always looking for ways to make life better for their residents. One big challenge is how to make sure everyone has a healthy environment and fair opportunities. A new tool called agent-based simulation is helping to figure this out. This tool can show what might happen if a city changes something, like making parking more expensive or banning polluting ca...
Australia is making a strong push to host the COP31 climate summit in 2025. The country's Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, is heading to Brazil for the COP30 summit to advocate for Australia's bid. This comes as Australia and Turkey are locked in a competition to host the event. The COP, or Conference of the Parties, is a major annual gathering focused on climate actio...
In Belem, Brazil, a vibrant protest unfolded during the midway point of the UN climate negotiations. The streets filled with people wearing black to mourn the impact of fossil fuels and red to honor those fighting for the environment. This was not just any protest; it was a bold statement made by various groups demanding action from world leaders. The protest was le...
Indigenous communities from across South America made a powerful statement at the recent climate talks in Belém, Brazil. This was not just another meeting for them. It was a chance to show the world that they are key players in the fight against climate change. They came from all corners of the continent, from the high Andes to the dense Amazon. Their message was cl...
In 2024, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina hard, especially in the western mountains. The storm brought record rainfall, with 24 inches at Mount Mitchell and nearly 31 inches in Busick. This caused massive flooding, over $60 billion in damages, and more than 100 deaths. Phone and internet services were knocked out, making it hard for people to communicate or get he...
A heated debate is unfolding between government agencies and lawmakers over a plan to cull 450, 000 barred owls. The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) proposed this strategy to protect the endangered Northern and California spotted owls. Critics question the plan's effectiveness and ethics, arguing that killing one species to save another is flawed. Barred owl...
South Africa, known for its strong voice in global environmental talks, is now facing a drop in influence. This comes after a political decision led to the removal of its environment minister, Dion George. The country, which houses some of the world's most endangered species, has scaled back its role in a major international wildlife trade regulation forum. This move...
In 2025, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) told countries to cut pollution and help the climate. But they forgot something important: nature's rights. The ruling was about how climate change hurts people, not about nature itself. It's like saying, \""Let's clean up the park, but only because we want to use it, not because the trees and animals deserve better. ...